Hello and welcome back to the Unleashed Blog! It’s Marsha CPDT-KA and this week’s topic is: how to greet dogs!
For dog lovers, greeting dogs is something we’ve probably done hundreds of times over our lives. Many pups are so friendly and open to meeting people that we often don't give much thought to whether we're doing it right – we just go for it, and it usually turns out fine. But what if we could do better? Just like consent matters in our interactions with other humans, it's equally important when it comes to the dogs in our lives. Luckily, there's a simple way to figure out if a dog is up for some attention or not: Canine Consent Checks.
Making sure a dog feels comfortable with being greeted isn't just about being polite to the friendly ones; it's extra important for the shy or nervous ones. Studies show that having control and choice over their environment is as rewarding for dogs as food and treats. Choice is a key part of positive reinforcement-based dog training and can be applied with great results to daily interactions with the dogs in your life.
Here are some tips for employing Consent Checks with dogs. This simple tool allows dogs to better communicate with you and give you greater insight into what they do and do not find enjoyable in your interactions.
How to do Canine Consent Checks:
1. Invite the dog to interact. Without getting into the dog’s space, kneel and pat your leg or call the dog’s name.
2. Observe. If the dog is interested in interacting, they will move towards you with a soft and relaxed body. If not, they may walk away, look away, or even just ignore you altogether.
3. If the dog moves towards you, engage in an interaction for 3-5 seconds. Avoid petting the top of their head and instead try pets on the chest or under the chin. As you stop petting, observe what does the dog next.
4. If the dog reengages, continue the interaction - it’s still a good idea to stop petting and check back in periodically to see if the dog is still enjoying the interaction.
5. If the dog disengages, respect their choice and don’t pressure them to reengage. Instead, try a different activity, like offering a treat or a toy. Or, give them space.
Signs of disengaging:
• Not moving towards you
• Moving away
• Looking away
• Lip licking
• Leaning away during touch
• Exposing belly
Signs of reengaging:
• Moving towards you
• Reinitiating touch
• Nudging or licking
• Rubbing body against you
• Leaning into touch
• Gently pawing you.
Why are consent checks so important? They allow dogs to have control over their environment and choice in their interactions. It is easy to forget that we control every interaction our dogs have with their environment. Finding ways to provide them choice and control in their daily lives as well as to respect their body language signaling they want to continue or end an interaction can help prevent them from escalating their behavior. Practicing consent checks often makes dogs more likely to solicit interactions from you, especially shy or fearful dogs that feel safer knowing they will not be forced into an interaction if they’re not feeling up for it. Think of a personal relationship; are you more likely to feel comfortable with a person who does not listen when you ask for space, or with someone who respects your boundaries? Pro tip: this is a great tool not only for dogs but for animals of all species!
Treat and Retreat
Consent checks are great for the dogs that are willing to come up to you for an introduction but some shy dogs may take a while to build up the confidence to approach a new person. If you encounter a dog that is nervous about getting close to you, you can still respect their boundaries while also getting the ball rolling by playing a game called Treat and Retreat. The game is very simple – take a high value treat and toss it behind the dog. As the dog goes to eat the treat, they get to put more space between you and them which helps alleviate the social pressure of needing to interact with you. It kind of turns the greeting process on its head and gives the dog more choice in the matter. After eating the treat, more often than not, the dog will look or turn in the direction that the treat came from. That’s your moment to mark and toss another treat behind the dog. As the dog gets comfortable moving around, they will likely begin getting closer to you as they are now more focused on this fun game than their nerves about meeting a new person. Watch their body language as you play and if you notice they start to relax, you can mix in some more challenging aspects to the game, like changing your position and going from sitting to standing while you play the game. You can also try cuing the dog to sit before tossing a treat or perhaps offering a treat from your hand. How the dog responds to these things is great information on how to move forward – do they shy away from your hand or do they take the treat readily?
Building trust and rapport with a shy dog is all about understanding their needs and respecting their boundaries. So, when you encounter a timid pup who's a bit hesitant to engage, it's important to approach them with patience and empathy. The Treat and Retreat game is like a gentle invitation for them to come out of their shell at their own pace. As you toss the treat behind them, you're giving them the space they need to feel safe while also associating your presence with something positive – yummy treats!
Throughout this process, it's crucial to pay close attention to the dog's body language. Are they wagging their tail? Relaxed ears? These are signs that they're enjoying the interaction. On the other hand, if they seem tense or hesitant, it's essential to give them space and respect their comfort level. By taking things slow, being patient, and tuning into the dog's signals, you're not only building a foundation of trust and mutual respect but also laying the groundwork for a meaningful and fulfilling relationship.
In summary, mastering Canine Consent Checks and incorporating tools like the Treat and Retreat game into your interactions with dogs can greatly enhance the quality of your relationship with the dogs in your care. By prioritizing respect, empathy, and understanding, you'll not only create a positive experience for the dogs but also deepen your connection with them as a trusted caregiver and companion.
Ready for tail-wagging trail adventures? Off Leash MKE’s top tips for the trails will keep your dog safe, your fellow hikers happy, and Milwaukee’s trails beautiful - Leash up, clean up, and make every adventure a blast!